Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended Umrah pilgrimage for citizens and residents living in the Kingdom.
This comes following concerns over COVID-19.
According to Saudi's Ministry of Interior, the preventative decision is part of the country's efforts to limit the spread of the virus.
India inspects spice makers over alleged contamination
India is inspecting facilities of spice makers MDH and Everest for compliance with quality standards after sales of some of their products were halted in Hong Kong and Singapore for allegedly containing high levels of a cancer-causing pesticide.
Israeli media predict offensive in Gaza's Rafah soon
Israel is poised to send troops into Rafah, the Gazan city it sees as the last bastion of Hamas, Israeli media reported on Wednesday, saying preparations were under way to evacuate war-displaced Palestinian civilians who have been sheltering there.
Russia detains ally of Defence Minister Shoigu for corruption
A Russian court on Wednesday ordered one of Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu's deputies be kept in custody on suspicion of taking bribes, the highest-profile corruption case since President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine in 2022.
Trump meets with Japan's former prime minister Aso
Former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, a senior figure in the country's ruling party, met with Donald Trump on Tuesday, becoming the latest US ally seeking to establish ties with the Republican presidential candidate.
Russian attack injures six people in Ukraine's Kharkiv
Russian missiles damaged residential buildings and injured six people in Ukraine's second-largest city, Kharkiv, early on Wednesday, Governor Oleh Synehubov said on Telegram.
